Ep 2. Ma & La

In Food Wars season 3 episode 2, entitled "Ma & La," the competitive culinary students of Totsuki Academy are challenged to create a dish using the famous Szechuan flavor profile known as ma la. The contestants must use their skills and creativity to craft a dish that balances the numbing and spicy flavors of ma la in a way that will impress not only the judges, but also the Szechuan native guest judge, Liu Maoxing.

Many of the students struggle with the unfamiliar flavor profile, with some even resorting to using pre-made ma la sauces. However, the most skilled students, including protagonist Soma Yukihira and his rival, Erina Nakiri, are able to create unique and innovative dishes that showcase their talent as chefs.

Soma decides to take a more traditional approach, using Szechuan peppercorns and other spices to flavor his dish. He also incorporates an unexpected ingredient that adds both texture and a new dimension to the flavors. Erina, on the other hand, opts for a more modern take on ma la, using molecular gastronomy techniques to create a dish that plays with both temperature and texture.

As the contestants present their dishes, it becomes clear that the judges and Liu Maoxing are not looking for traditional Szechuan cuisine, but rather a dish that showcases the ma la flavor profile in a unique and innovative way. The top dishes, including those created by Soma and Erina, are praised for their balance of spice and numbing sensations, as well as their creativity and presentation.

However, while the competition may seem friendly on the surface, tensions continue to simmer amongst the students. Soma's unconventional cooking style and refusal to follow traditional techniques has made him a target for some of his classmates, including the haughty Elite Ten council. And as the competition heats up, the true motives behind some of the students' ambitions begin to emerge.

Overall, "Ma & La" is a thrilling episode that showcases the diverse talent and creativity of the students of Totsuki Academy. As they continue to push the boundaries of cuisine and compete for the title of top chef, the stakes are higher than ever before.